Chapter 3 –
The Secret Between Us
Night – Balcony
(Nova's POV)
The apartment was quiet.
Too quiet.
Ash had fallen asleep early after finishing her assignments. Her room door was half-closed, soft yellow light spilling from the lamp inside.
But Care was still awake.
Of course she was.
I stepped onto the balcony and found her exactly where I expected—sitting on the chair with a blanket around her shoulders, books spread across the small table.
Highlighters. Notes. Formulas.
Studying.
Like always.
The city lights flickered below us, and the cool night air brushed against my arms.
She didn't look up.
"Nova," she said calmly, still writing. "If you're here to tell me to sleep, save it."
I crossed my arms.
"You almost collapsed today."
She stopped writing.
Just for a second.
Then continued.
"I didn't collapse."
"You almost did."
"Almost doesn't count."
I felt frustration rising in my chest.
"Care," I said quietly, "you have a brain tumor."
She finally looked up.
Her eyes were calm.
Too calm.
"I know."
That answer made my stomach twist.
Most people would panic. Cry. Break.
But Care?
She treated it like a math problem.
Manageable.
Solvable.
Something she could outwork.
"You can't keep acting like nothing is happening," I said.
She leaned back in her chair and stared at the sky.
"I've lived worse."
Her voice was quiet now.
"When my dad died, I thought the world ended. Nobody stayed. Nobody helped. I had to build myself again."
Her eyes shifted toward me.
"And the only thing that never left me was studying. Competing. Winning."
She tapped the book softly.
"This stays with me. Even when people don't."
I swallowed.
"That tumor could kill you."
She shrugged lightly.
"Maybe."
The word hit harder than I expected.
Maybe.
Like death was just another possibility on her schedule.
"You're insane," I whispered.
She smiled faintly.
"I'm practical."
Silence settled between us.
The wind moved her hair gently across her face.
I stepped closer.
"Does Ash know?"
Care shook her head immediately.
"No."
"Lyra?"
"No."
"She messages you every day, Care."
"I know."
"Then why—"
"Because I don't want them worrying," she said firmly.
Her voice hardened now.
"I don't want Ash crying every night. I don't want Lyra cancelling her plans to rush here. I don't want people treating me like I'm fragile."
She pointed to herself.
"I'm still me."
Her eyes locked onto mine.
"So we don't tell anyone."
My chest tightened.
"Care—"
"No one," she repeated.
"Ash stays happy."
"Lyra stays excited about coming here."
"And the school stays normal."
She closed her book.
"And you keep this between us."
I stared at her.
This was insane.
Dangerous.
But I knew something about Care.
Once she made a decision, nothing could move her.
Not even death.
I exhaled slowly.
"…Fine."
Her shoulders relaxed slightly.
"But if things get worse," I said, pointing a finger at her, "I'm telling everyone."
She smirked.
"We'll see."
Then she stood up, grabbing her books again.
"Now go sleep. You look like you're about to lecture me for three more hours."
"You deserve it."
She laughed softly.
For a moment…
Everything felt normal again.
But deep down, I knew one thing.
We had just agreed to keep a secret that was far too heavy for two people to carry.
Next Day – School Cafeteria
(Nova's POV)
Lunch time.
The cafeteria buzzed with noise like usual.
Trays clattered.
Students laughed.
But at our table…
Things felt different.
Care sat between Cole and Daisy, quietly eating.
Or at least pretending to.
Her fork barely moved.
Her eyes looked tired.
Too tired.
I noticed first.
Then Ben noticed.
Then Daisy.
Then Cole.
Care suddenly pressed her fingers against her temple.
Just for a moment.
A tiny gesture.
But I knew exactly what it meant.
Pain.
Her vision probably spinning.
Her balance struggling.
She blinked slowly and grabbed the edge of the table.
Dizzy.
Cole stopped mid-bite.
Daisy watched her carefully.
Ben leaned back slightly.
Everyone noticed.
But nobody said anything.
Because Care hated attention.
And nobody wanted to embarrass her.
I quietly moved my chair closer to her.
"You okay?" I asked softly.
She nodded.
"Just tired."
Lie.
But I didn't expose her.
Instead, I slid a glass of water toward her.
"Drink."
She did.
Slowly.
Across the table, Cole's eyes stayed fixed on her.
Sharp.
Observant.
Like he was trying to solve a puzzle.
Ben looked uneasy.
Daisy crossed her arms slightly, thinking.
The exchange students sat quietly today.
Even they felt the tension.
Care tried to focus on eating again.
But her hand trembled slightly.
So I gently placed my hand over hers under the table.
Support.
She glanced at me.
Just for a second.
Grateful.
Then she straightened up again, forcing that same strong expression everyone believed in.
The invincible topper.
But I knew the truth.
And I could see it clearly now.
Care was fighting a battle nobody else could see.
And the worst part?
She refused to stop fighting.